Dahlexpert
Well-Known Member
Whelp , I'm going to give Squee's lp a try, And I hope to get in and work with some of you guys again.
Also Zombie it's good to have you and frost back.
Also Zombie it's good to have you and frost back.
X-COM THINK TANK (Out of Character Discussion about X-COM and the Series)
- Thread starter ChristopherOdd
- Start date
- Status
Yeah the gang is almost all here
Well, speaking of bad timing, the site went down just as I was nearly finished with that little story I was writing. I only had two parts to go, and I had just finished the second to last one when I noticed the site was down. At any rate, I'm not sure how many people were actually reading them, but I might as well finish what I started.
Voices in my Head: Part Eleven (1)
(Five days later, X-COM Infirmary)
"Hold still," Alice says, gently tapping an alcohol swap against the gash over Jake's left eye. He flinches, and Alice grasps his shoulder. "I said hold still."
"I'm sorry." Jake ignores the stinging as Alice finishes cleaning his wound and places a bandage over it. "Thanks," he says, lightly touching it.
"Really, now, is all this hostility nessacary?" Alice shakes her head in disgust. "What is this, the fifth interrogation in as many days?"
"Sixth," Jake answers, rolling a sore shoulder. "But I think they're done for now. I'd like to think it was because they finally figured out that I can't say anything if I don't know anything, but more likely, they just want me to stew until the next time." He looks Alice up and down. "How are you holding up?"
"Oh, I'm fine." Alice turns away. "I guess since I'm a woman, they're going easy on me."
Jake shakes his head. "That black eye you're trying to cover in makeup says otherwise."
Alice sighs. "Duncan has had it the worse. Cybernetic body means they think they don't have to hold back. It's all for the safety and security of X-COM, or so they'd claim."
"Pft." Jake puts on a grim expression. "Safety and security my ass. This is McCarthyism, plain and simple. With the Commander and Bradford up to their eyeballs in paperwork, repair orders, and accusations from the counsel, that Russo guy has free rein to initiate a witch hunt."
Alice glances at Hitomi and Rei, sitting solemnly in the corner, Rei resting her head on Hitomi's lap as Hitomi slowly strokes her hair. "How are they holding up? They look miserable."
"They're depressed. They've hardly eaten since then." Jake shudders. "The idea of Russo getting his hands on them..."
Alice gives him a look of shock. "You don't think they'd...oh, of course they would." She clenches her fist. "From what I've heard about what they're doing to Sora, I'd believe anything. Jake, you haven't been able to see her, have you?"
"Are you kidding?" Jake scoffs. "It's a miracle Haven was able to convince them to keep me on security, at least for the time being. But they won't let me with a hundred feet of the labs, let alone in the alien containment facility." Jumping to his feet, he says, "I have to go. Now that I'm finally out, I need to see what I can do about talking to the Commander. Will you keep an eye on them?"
Alice looks at the girls with pity. "No problem. Just don't do anything to get yourself in any more trouble."
"I can only promise to try," Jake says, heading out the door.
(X-COM Main Laboratory, Alien Containment Facility)
Sora sits silently in her small, glass container, staring solemnly at the top of the cell. Two large, arm-like devices extend from the walls on either side of her, the round objects on the end of them humming softly. A man in a lab coat stares into the cell, impatiently tapping his foot. "Don't you see how much easier this all would be if you told us who your collaborators are?" He asks. "It would spare you so much pain."
"No pain would be spared, Dr. Krueger," Sora responds without looking at him. "Only transferred. And I would only be passing it off on someone free of guilt. No, this is my pain to suffer, and mine alone."
The scientist lets out an angry grunt and hits a switch on the counsel before him. The mechanical arms buzz loudly, and the cell fills with waves of distorted energy. Sora squeezes her eyes shut, clutching her head in pain. The man deactivates the machine after a few seconds. Sora takes a few moments to catch her breath, then resumes staring at the ceiling.
"I suggest you start talking." Krueger folds his arms. "The fact that you look human is the only reason I haven't turned up the power, but my patience only goes so far."
Sora smiles weakly. "Look human, huh?" She turns to look the doctor in the eye. "Do you have a sister? Or a daughter, perhaps?"
Krueger moves his hand towards the switch. "Are you threatening me?"
Shaking her head, Sora says, "No. I was just wondering if you'd so readily hit that switch if it was someone you loved who was accused of just 'looking human'."
Krueger's angry expression softens, and he pulls his hand away from the counsel. To his left, the door to the main lab opens, and Major Russo walks in. As he approaches, he asks the doctor, "How is today's session going?"
Krueger's eyes dart back and forth. "I was, um, just finishing up. I'm afraid we can't push her anymore today." Sora nods at him, and looks back towards the ceiling.
Standing inches from the cell, Russo asks, "What are looking at? Are you trying to stare a whole in the cell, or are you trying to communicate with you compatriots. Because neither is going to work."
Still smiling, Sora looks at Russo and says, "Oh, I know, Major. There's no escaping on your watch, right?"
Russo chuckles. "I know you're just patronizing me, but yeah, that's right. You know, you might as well just open up to us. Your friends have already confessed to us. The young ones in particular didn't take much to crack."
Sora's smile broadens. "Do you play poker, Major?"
"I do." Russo raises an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Just wondering if any of your fellow players ever told you that your nostrils flare when you lie. It's a pretty bad tell."
Grunting angrily, Russo slams his fist on the counsel, activating it. Sora writhes in agony. When the Major doesn't deactivate it after a full minute, Krueger darts forward and does so. Sora collapses, and the doctor yells, "You'll kill her!"
"It, doctor," Russo says, raising a finger, "and don't forget it, less it trick you into letting it free, and it slaughters you and everyone else in it's wake." He snarls at Sora as she weakly tries to sit back up. "Have her ready to go again in two hours."
Russo exits in a huff, and Krueger turns to follow. He looks up at Sora, and whispers, "I' m sorry."
Sora nods, and says, "I know," before looking up at the ceiling again.
(Two hours later)
Krueger takes a deep breath before opening the door to the containment facility. He nearly doubles over at the sight of the carnage before him. All around him are the torn apart remains of over a dozen soldiers and scientists. "What the hell?" He mumbles to himself.
"Krueger! Is that you?" At the sound of Major Russo's voice, Krueger rushes towards the containment cell. From within it, Krueger yells, "Get me the HELL out of here!"
Krueger runs up to the counsel and rapidly types on it. "Sir, what happened here?"
"That damn alien bitch!" Russo pounds his fist against the cell wall. "This is what I was warning you about. She got some young, pretty-eyed ditz working in the labs to sympathize with her, and the moment the cell opened, she went ape shit. I got a tip they were getting too friendly, but by the time I got here, it was too late." He grits his teeth. "She threw me in here, forced me to watch as she slaughtered my men, laughing the whole time. Hurry, we need to act fast!"
"I've almost got it," Krueger says as he frantically types. "There are a lot of safety protocols."
The cell slowly opens, and Russo ducks out. "Crazy bitch said she was saving me for last. Come on, we need to warn the Commander."
Krueger nods and runs to the door, holding it open for the Major and following closely behind. Making sure he's gone, Sora climbs down from the containment cell, stretching her sore, underused arms and legs. She looks at the two passed out guards by her cell and smiles, then walks over to the lone unconscious lab tech near the door. She carefully slips off his lab coat and puts it on over the shabby medical gown she wears. Her eyes dart between the man's over-sized shoes and her own small feet, frowning. With a shrug, she peaks her head out the door, then darts out.
As she makes her way through the lab, she grabs a folder off a desk and pretends to read it as she walks. Behind her, she can hear Krueger yelling, "What are you talking about? He was right here."
"Slow down." Another scientist says. "Did you say you let the subject out?"
"Aren't you listening? She already got out! How did you not notice the blood bath?"
"Are you insane? What blood bath? All I see are a few knocked out people and a cell that used to contain a dangerous subject!"
"What, no! They...it was...what?"
"Someone get him out of here and call the real Major Russo!"
"Damn, I don't know why I thought I'd have more time then that," Sora mumbles to herself as she picks up the pace. She peaks out the door to the main hallway and notes the two soldier guarding it. "Time to have a little fun."
"Did you say something?" The first guard asks.
"Huh?" The second guard shrugs. "I was just saying I wished something would happen around here, if that's what you mean. After that alien attack, guard duty is so boring."
"Tell me about it," the first guard says. Suddenly, the door bursts open, and a chryssallid rushes into the hallway. It snarls at the two soldiers before dashing to the left and around a corner. The soldiers exchange a surprised look before taking off after it. Sora exits the lab and heads in the other direction.
As she rounds the corner by the staff showers, she jumps back at the sight of three guards outside it. Taking a moment to think, she pulls off the lab coat and tosses into an empty room next to her. Forming an orb of energy in her hand, she fires it at the wall next to her, then presses against the edge of the turn. As the soldiers round the corner, she throws herself forward, landing in the arms of one of them. "Oh, officer, please, help me!" She yells frantically.
(Five days later, X-COM Infirmary)
"Hold still," Alice says, gently tapping an alcohol swap against the gash over Jake's left eye. He flinches, and Alice grasps his shoulder. "I said hold still."
"I'm sorry." Jake ignores the stinging as Alice finishes cleaning his wound and places a bandage over it. "Thanks," he says, lightly touching it.
"Really, now, is all this hostility nessacary?" Alice shakes her head in disgust. "What is this, the fifth interrogation in as many days?"
"Sixth," Jake answers, rolling a sore shoulder. "But I think they're done for now. I'd like to think it was because they finally figured out that I can't say anything if I don't know anything, but more likely, they just want me to stew until the next time." He looks Alice up and down. "How are you holding up?"
"Oh, I'm fine." Alice turns away. "I guess since I'm a woman, they're going easy on me."
Jake shakes his head. "That black eye you're trying to cover in makeup says otherwise."
Alice sighs. "Duncan has had it the worse. Cybernetic body means they think they don't have to hold back. It's all for the safety and security of X-COM, or so they'd claim."
"Pft." Jake puts on a grim expression. "Safety and security my ass. This is McCarthyism, plain and simple. With the Commander and Bradford up to their eyeballs in paperwork, repair orders, and accusations from the counsel, that Russo guy has free rein to initiate a witch hunt."
Alice glances at Hitomi and Rei, sitting solemnly in the corner, Rei resting her head on Hitomi's lap as Hitomi slowly strokes her hair. "How are they holding up? They look miserable."
"They're depressed. They've hardly eaten since then." Jake shudders. "The idea of Russo getting his hands on them..."
Alice gives him a look of shock. "You don't think they'd...oh, of course they would." She clenches her fist. "From what I've heard about what they're doing to Sora, I'd believe anything. Jake, you haven't been able to see her, have you?"
"Are you kidding?" Jake scoffs. "It's a miracle Haven was able to convince them to keep me on security, at least for the time being. But they won't let me with a hundred feet of the labs, let alone in the alien containment facility." Jumping to his feet, he says, "I have to go. Now that I'm finally out, I need to see what I can do about talking to the Commander. Will you keep an eye on them?"
Alice looks at the girls with pity. "No problem. Just don't do anything to get yourself in any more trouble."
"I can only promise to try," Jake says, heading out the door.
(X-COM Main Laboratory, Alien Containment Facility)
Sora sits silently in her small, glass container, staring solemnly at the top of the cell. Two large, arm-like devices extend from the walls on either side of her, the round objects on the end of them humming softly. A man in a lab coat stares into the cell, impatiently tapping his foot. "Don't you see how much easier this all would be if you told us who your collaborators are?" He asks. "It would spare you so much pain."
"No pain would be spared, Dr. Krueger," Sora responds without looking at him. "Only transferred. And I would only be passing it off on someone free of guilt. No, this is my pain to suffer, and mine alone."
The scientist lets out an angry grunt and hits a switch on the counsel before him. The mechanical arms buzz loudly, and the cell fills with waves of distorted energy. Sora squeezes her eyes shut, clutching her head in pain. The man deactivates the machine after a few seconds. Sora takes a few moments to catch her breath, then resumes staring at the ceiling.
"I suggest you start talking." Krueger folds his arms. "The fact that you look human is the only reason I haven't turned up the power, but my patience only goes so far."
Sora smiles weakly. "Look human, huh?" She turns to look the doctor in the eye. "Do you have a sister? Or a daughter, perhaps?"
Krueger moves his hand towards the switch. "Are you threatening me?"
Shaking her head, Sora says, "No. I was just wondering if you'd so readily hit that switch if it was someone you loved who was accused of just 'looking human'."
Krueger's angry expression softens, and he pulls his hand away from the counsel. To his left, the door to the main lab opens, and Major Russo walks in. As he approaches, he asks the doctor, "How is today's session going?"
Krueger's eyes dart back and forth. "I was, um, just finishing up. I'm afraid we can't push her anymore today." Sora nods at him, and looks back towards the ceiling.
Standing inches from the cell, Russo asks, "What are looking at? Are you trying to stare a whole in the cell, or are you trying to communicate with you compatriots. Because neither is going to work."
Still smiling, Sora looks at Russo and says, "Oh, I know, Major. There's no escaping on your watch, right?"
Russo chuckles. "I know you're just patronizing me, but yeah, that's right. You know, you might as well just open up to us. Your friends have already confessed to us. The young ones in particular didn't take much to crack."
Sora's smile broadens. "Do you play poker, Major?"
"I do." Russo raises an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Just wondering if any of your fellow players ever told you that your nostrils flare when you lie. It's a pretty bad tell."
Grunting angrily, Russo slams his fist on the counsel, activating it. Sora writhes in agony. When the Major doesn't deactivate it after a full minute, Krueger darts forward and does so. Sora collapses, and the doctor yells, "You'll kill her!"
"It, doctor," Russo says, raising a finger, "and don't forget it, less it trick you into letting it free, and it slaughters you and everyone else in it's wake." He snarls at Sora as she weakly tries to sit back up. "Have her ready to go again in two hours."
Russo exits in a huff, and Krueger turns to follow. He looks up at Sora, and whispers, "I' m sorry."
Sora nods, and says, "I know," before looking up at the ceiling again.
(Two hours later)
Krueger takes a deep breath before opening the door to the containment facility. He nearly doubles over at the sight of the carnage before him. All around him are the torn apart remains of over a dozen soldiers and scientists. "What the hell?" He mumbles to himself.
"Krueger! Is that you?" At the sound of Major Russo's voice, Krueger rushes towards the containment cell. From within it, Krueger yells, "Get me the HELL out of here!"
Krueger runs up to the counsel and rapidly types on it. "Sir, what happened here?"
"That damn alien bitch!" Russo pounds his fist against the cell wall. "This is what I was warning you about. She got some young, pretty-eyed ditz working in the labs to sympathize with her, and the moment the cell opened, she went ape shit. I got a tip they were getting too friendly, but by the time I got here, it was too late." He grits his teeth. "She threw me in here, forced me to watch as she slaughtered my men, laughing the whole time. Hurry, we need to act fast!"
"I've almost got it," Krueger says as he frantically types. "There are a lot of safety protocols."
The cell slowly opens, and Russo ducks out. "Crazy bitch said she was saving me for last. Come on, we need to warn the Commander."
Krueger nods and runs to the door, holding it open for the Major and following closely behind. Making sure he's gone, Sora climbs down from the containment cell, stretching her sore, underused arms and legs. She looks at the two passed out guards by her cell and smiles, then walks over to the lone unconscious lab tech near the door. She carefully slips off his lab coat and puts it on over the shabby medical gown she wears. Her eyes dart between the man's over-sized shoes and her own small feet, frowning. With a shrug, she peaks her head out the door, then darts out.
As she makes her way through the lab, she grabs a folder off a desk and pretends to read it as she walks. Behind her, she can hear Krueger yelling, "What are you talking about? He was right here."
"Slow down." Another scientist says. "Did you say you let the subject out?"
"Aren't you listening? She already got out! How did you not notice the blood bath?"
"Are you insane? What blood bath? All I see are a few knocked out people and a cell that used to contain a dangerous subject!"
"What, no! They...it was...what?"
"Someone get him out of here and call the real Major Russo!"
"Damn, I don't know why I thought I'd have more time then that," Sora mumbles to herself as she picks up the pace. She peaks out the door to the main hallway and notes the two soldier guarding it. "Time to have a little fun."
"Did you say something?" The first guard asks.
"Huh?" The second guard shrugs. "I was just saying I wished something would happen around here, if that's what you mean. After that alien attack, guard duty is so boring."
"Tell me about it," the first guard says. Suddenly, the door bursts open, and a chryssallid rushes into the hallway. It snarls at the two soldiers before dashing to the left and around a corner. The soldiers exchange a surprised look before taking off after it. Sora exits the lab and heads in the other direction.
As she rounds the corner by the staff showers, she jumps back at the sight of three guards outside it. Taking a moment to think, she pulls off the lab coat and tosses into an empty room next to her. Forming an orb of energy in her hand, she fires it at the wall next to her, then presses against the edge of the turn. As the soldiers round the corner, she throws herself forward, landing in the arms of one of them. "Oh, officer, please, help me!" She yells frantically.
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Voices in my Head: Part 11 (2)
"What happened?" Asks the soldier that caught her, looking down at her near lack of clothing and bare feet.
"The infirmary!" Sora looks back in terror. "The aliens, I don't know where they came from! One of them chased me here, a robot that can turn invisible! It shot at me, then disappeared again when you showed up."
The soldiers lift their weapons. "Will you be okay?" The one holding Sora asks her. She nods, and he releases her, saying, "Go hide in the shower room."
As the soldiers take off, Sora smiles. "Practice makes perfect." She quickly ducks into the showers, emerging a few minutes later fully dressed. Behind her is the sound of dogs barking, and several women can be heard yelling for help. "Sorry, ladies, but they'll go away in a few seconds."
As she makes her way through the hallways, she stops at lab tech chatting with a security officer. "Excuse me. I don't mean to intrude, but do you know which lab Dr. Vahlen is working in?"
"She's in 2B." The lab tech says, pointing towards the lift.
"Thanks, I owe ya one." Sora enters the lift and hits the button for the second basement floor.
(Alien Containment)
Russo stares at the open cell, his rage barely contained. A soldier cautiously approaches him and asks, "Um, sir, shouldn't we sound the alarm?"
"And send the whole base into a panic?" The Major snaps, clenching his fists. "No, no, that's what she wants. If this was a simple attack, she'd have made her move by now. She wants the base in a ruckus so she can escape." He turns to the soldier behind him. "Spread word to every soldier, but make sure no one else knows. And tell them if they find her, don't hesitate to shoot. Take her alive only if possible.
(Central Command)
Russo walks up to Bradford as he examines the holo-globe. "Sir, we have a problem. We need to talk to the Commander, right away."
Bradford gives him a serious look. "What kind of problem?"
"There may be a traitor in our midst, secretly moving among us. We need to make a plan before it gets out and people start panicking. How does twenty minutes sound?" Bradford nods, and Russo quickly exits.
(Lab 2B)
Bradford makes his way through the lab. Approaching Dr. Vahlen, he says, "Doctor, are you busy?"
Looking up from a microscope, Vahlen says, "Not with anything I can't put off for a while."
"Good," Bradford says. "Because we have an emergency meeting in the Commander's office. We have trouble." Vahlen gives him a worried look, and nods.
(Primary Workshop)
"What's going on?" Shen asks.
"I'm not entirely sure," Bradford says. "But Russo sounded serious. So be in the Commander's office in ten."
(The Commander's Office)
"You don't understand, sir," Jake says. "If they did this to my friends and I, what do you think they're doing to Sora?"
"It's not that I don't believe the seriousness of the situation, if it's true," The Commander says, biting his lip. "I just find it hard to believe. Which is hard since I do trust you." He sits back in his chair. "I just can't believe Major Russo would go behind my back like that."
Jake folds his arms. "He probably just figured you'd be too impressed to care, once he tortures some kind of confession out of Sora."
The intercom buzzes. "Sir, Bradford, Vahlen, and Shen are here to see you."
Looking confused, the Commander says, "Um, okay. Send them in."
The three enter the room. Bradford asks, "Sir, what's the situation?"
The Commander raises an eyebrow, looking at each of them in turn. "What do you mean? You tell me."
"Sir!" Russo barges in. Glancing at Bradford, Vahlen, and Shen, he says, "I'm sorry for the intrusion, but we have trouble. The traitor we were interrogating..." He gives Jake an angry look. "Sir, this man is in league with her. I don't feel comfortable discussing this around him."
"Is that so." The Commander taps his fingers together. "Because he's told me some unflattering things about you. And the fact that you'd call a meeting of the base's senior staff lays credence to this."
The Major shakes his head. "Sir, I don't know what this cretin has said, but this wasn't my idea. I am glad that they're here though, because..."
"What do you mean?" Shen asks. "Bradford said you had something to tell us."
Bradford shakes his head. "I didn't tell you anything. I was under the impression Russo asked you to come here, same as me."
Vahlen shakes her head. "No, it was you who asked me to come here as well."
Russo's eyes dart back and forth. "She's responsible for this. Which means she can be anyone of us." He looks at Jake. "I'd put my money on him."
The Commander shakes his head. "If what you say is true, then what reason do we have to believe he is the one we should to worry about? She could be you. Hell, for all you know, the Commander is already dead, and I'm the traitor in disguise."
"No, you're not," Jake insists. "Because she would never kill you. What makes you think any of us are Sora?"
Russo thinks for a moment. "He's right."
"I am?" Jake asks, surprised.
"Yes." Russo looks around. "She used illusions to get out of that cell, and there have been reports of such illusions all over the base. For all we know, she's using an illusion right now to render herself invisible. She could be standing right in front us with a knife, ready to plunge it into one of our hearts."
"Well, you're half right," Sora says from behind Russo's ear, causing him to jump forward. She chuckles. " But I can't stay invisible and move at the same time."
"What happened?" Asks the soldier that caught her, looking down at her near lack of clothing and bare feet.
"The infirmary!" Sora looks back in terror. "The aliens, I don't know where they came from! One of them chased me here, a robot that can turn invisible! It shot at me, then disappeared again when you showed up."
The soldiers lift their weapons. "Will you be okay?" The one holding Sora asks her. She nods, and he releases her, saying, "Go hide in the shower room."
As the soldiers take off, Sora smiles. "Practice makes perfect." She quickly ducks into the showers, emerging a few minutes later fully dressed. Behind her is the sound of dogs barking, and several women can be heard yelling for help. "Sorry, ladies, but they'll go away in a few seconds."
As she makes her way through the hallways, she stops at lab tech chatting with a security officer. "Excuse me. I don't mean to intrude, but do you know which lab Dr. Vahlen is working in?"
"She's in 2B." The lab tech says, pointing towards the lift.
"Thanks, I owe ya one." Sora enters the lift and hits the button for the second basement floor.
(Alien Containment)
Russo stares at the open cell, his rage barely contained. A soldier cautiously approaches him and asks, "Um, sir, shouldn't we sound the alarm?"
"And send the whole base into a panic?" The Major snaps, clenching his fists. "No, no, that's what she wants. If this was a simple attack, she'd have made her move by now. She wants the base in a ruckus so she can escape." He turns to the soldier behind him. "Spread word to every soldier, but make sure no one else knows. And tell them if they find her, don't hesitate to shoot. Take her alive only if possible.
(Central Command)
Russo walks up to Bradford as he examines the holo-globe. "Sir, we have a problem. We need to talk to the Commander, right away."
Bradford gives him a serious look. "What kind of problem?"
"There may be a traitor in our midst, secretly moving among us. We need to make a plan before it gets out and people start panicking. How does twenty minutes sound?" Bradford nods, and Russo quickly exits.
(Lab 2B)
Bradford makes his way through the lab. Approaching Dr. Vahlen, he says, "Doctor, are you busy?"
Looking up from a microscope, Vahlen says, "Not with anything I can't put off for a while."
"Good," Bradford says. "Because we have an emergency meeting in the Commander's office. We have trouble." Vahlen gives him a worried look, and nods.
(Primary Workshop)
"What's going on?" Shen asks.
"I'm not entirely sure," Bradford says. "But Russo sounded serious. So be in the Commander's office in ten."
(The Commander's Office)
"You don't understand, sir," Jake says. "If they did this to my friends and I, what do you think they're doing to Sora?"
"It's not that I don't believe the seriousness of the situation, if it's true," The Commander says, biting his lip. "I just find it hard to believe. Which is hard since I do trust you." He sits back in his chair. "I just can't believe Major Russo would go behind my back like that."
Jake folds his arms. "He probably just figured you'd be too impressed to care, once he tortures some kind of confession out of Sora."
The intercom buzzes. "Sir, Bradford, Vahlen, and Shen are here to see you."
Looking confused, the Commander says, "Um, okay. Send them in."
The three enter the room. Bradford asks, "Sir, what's the situation?"
The Commander raises an eyebrow, looking at each of them in turn. "What do you mean? You tell me."
"Sir!" Russo barges in. Glancing at Bradford, Vahlen, and Shen, he says, "I'm sorry for the intrusion, but we have trouble. The traitor we were interrogating..." He gives Jake an angry look. "Sir, this man is in league with her. I don't feel comfortable discussing this around him."
"Is that so." The Commander taps his fingers together. "Because he's told me some unflattering things about you. And the fact that you'd call a meeting of the base's senior staff lays credence to this."
The Major shakes his head. "Sir, I don't know what this cretin has said, but this wasn't my idea. I am glad that they're here though, because..."
"What do you mean?" Shen asks. "Bradford said you had something to tell us."
Bradford shakes his head. "I didn't tell you anything. I was under the impression Russo asked you to come here, same as me."
Vahlen shakes her head. "No, it was you who asked me to come here as well."
Russo's eyes dart back and forth. "She's responsible for this. Which means she can be anyone of us." He looks at Jake. "I'd put my money on him."
The Commander shakes his head. "If what you say is true, then what reason do we have to believe he is the one we should to worry about? She could be you. Hell, for all you know, the Commander is already dead, and I'm the traitor in disguise."
"No, you're not," Jake insists. "Because she would never kill you. What makes you think any of us are Sora?"
Russo thinks for a moment. "He's right."
"I am?" Jake asks, surprised.
"Yes." Russo looks around. "She used illusions to get out of that cell, and there have been reports of such illusions all over the base. For all we know, she's using an illusion right now to render herself invisible. She could be standing right in front us with a knife, ready to plunge it into one of our hearts."
"Well, you're half right," Sora says from behind Russo's ear, causing him to jump forward. She chuckles. " But I can't stay invisible and move at the same time."
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Voices in my Head: Part 11 (3)
Sora smiles at the Commander. "I don't believe I've had the opportunity of personally meeting you. I'm Sora. The pleasure is all mine." Sora extends her hand and steps forward. Russo quickly draws his side arm and points it at her. Stopping, Sora shakes her head. "Must you always be so rude?"
"Commander, you and the others get out of here. I'll deal with this...creature."
The Commander and his staff carefully circle around Sora and head for the door. Bradford reaches for the doorknob, but his hand touches an invisible field. He jumps towards the door shoulder first, but only bounces off. "Sorry about that," Sora says. "But I went through a lot of trouble to get you all here. You can't just leave."
Russo shakes his head. "Just another monster. I'll take care of this." Russo fires, and Sora ducks down. The Commander lets out a cry of pain and drops to the ground. Horrified, Russo drops the gun and backs away. Sora extends her hand, firing an orb of energy at the weapon. "Oh God, what have I done?"
"Not a thing." Sora glances at the Commander, who gives Russo a confused look. Livid, Russo grabs the gun and attempts to fire at Sora, but the weapon is too badly damaged.
Jake steps behind Sora and whispers, "Sora, what are you doing?"
Sora smiles and glances back. "You trust me, right?" Jake returns her smile and nods. "Good." Sora's eyes glow with a purple fire. She points towards the Commander and the others, angrily yelling, "Over by that bastard you call a Major. NOW!" As she shouts, a mirror and a pair of brandy glasses on the desk shatter.
The group do as they're told. Carefully, the Commander says, "Sora, please. I doesn't have to be like this."
"Oh, it doesn't, huh?" Sora let's out a sarcastic laugh, looking at Shen, Vahlen, and Bradford in turn. "So what should I do with the man that built the small prison I was shoved into, or the woman that had it commissioned, or the man who is supposed to be in charge of the soldiers who captured me." She points at Russo, and the glow in her eyes intensifies. "Or the man who has spent nearly a week straight torturing me!"
As an orb of energy grows to the size of a beach ball in Sora's hand, the commander steps forward. "Sora, I'm sorry. You have every right to be angry. But as Commander of this base, responsibility falls squarely on my shoulders. If anyone needs to die today, it should be me alone."
Sora laughs loudly. "Wow, I have to say, that is quite noble of you, but I can't agree with you. And do you know why?"
Shaking his head slowly, the Commander says, "No. Why?"
"Because she's not going to kill anyone," Jake says, placing a hand on Sora's shoulder. "She only wanted to prove that she could, if Russo was right about her."
The energy dissipating from her hand, Sora lets out a frustrated groan. "Jaaaaake!" She turns to him and lightly beats on his chest. "You stole my big moment, you jerk."
The Commander lets out a sugh of relief. "Well, you sure put on a good act. So what happens now?"
"What do you mean?" Sora sits on the floor, suddenly visibly tired. "I've proven my point. And you're the Commander. If you want to throw me back in that cell, then so be it."
Jake kneels next to her says, "Sora, don't."
Sora shakes her head. "It's okay. I'll even tell you how I escaped so you can make sure I don't do it again." She points up. "That cell is extremely strong, even against psychokinetic energy. Especially against psychokinetic energy. It took me five days of constantly focusing on one point on the top of it to bore a nearly microscopic hole in it. A little too small for me to squeeze through, but big enough to reach the people in the room."
The Commander laughs, a laugh that starts with a chuckle and ends with him balling, the others looking at him like he's insane. After taking a moment to regain his composure, he says, "That's rich. I have to say, though, I'm not happy about the idea of having to repair my containment facility. I'll have to find somewhere else to keep you. I was thinking about confining you to your room, at least until I figure this whole mess out."
Jake and Sora smile at each other, and wrap their arms around each other. An angered Russo steps forward and shouts, "Sir, this is madness! You're playing into her hands!"
"In what way?" Vahlen asks. "She could have killed us, but she didn't. Why?"
"It's a trick!" Russo gives the others a look of desperation. "She's leading us into a false sense of security."
"To what end?" Shen folds his arms. "She has the bases Commander, his second in command, the lead scientist, and the head of engineering right were she needs them. If she was going to hurt X-COM, then what better chance could she have?"
"Tell me, Major." Bradford says. "Have there been any casualties since she escaped. For that matter, why did we receive no word of her escape until you came through that door?"
"I, um..."
Sora shrugs. "I'm sure the Major here was just concerned about spreading panic. It looked like he was about to tell you now. Right, Major?"
Russo scowls, but in a reluctant tone, says, "Yes, that's right."
The Commander shakes his head. "Jake, please escort Sora to her quarters." With a nod and a smile, Jake and Sora take their leave. The Commander motions for Bradford, Vahlen, and Shen to leave, and they exit as well. Turning to Russo, he folds his arms and says, "Major, we need to have a talk about the chain of command on this base, as well the proper time and place for taking the imitative."
Sora smiles at the Commander. "I don't believe I've had the opportunity of personally meeting you. I'm Sora. The pleasure is all mine." Sora extends her hand and steps forward. Russo quickly draws his side arm and points it at her. Stopping, Sora shakes her head. "Must you always be so rude?"
"Commander, you and the others get out of here. I'll deal with this...creature."
The Commander and his staff carefully circle around Sora and head for the door. Bradford reaches for the doorknob, but his hand touches an invisible field. He jumps towards the door shoulder first, but only bounces off. "Sorry about that," Sora says. "But I went through a lot of trouble to get you all here. You can't just leave."
Russo shakes his head. "Just another monster. I'll take care of this." Russo fires, and Sora ducks down. The Commander lets out a cry of pain and drops to the ground. Horrified, Russo drops the gun and backs away. Sora extends her hand, firing an orb of energy at the weapon. "Oh God, what have I done?"
"Not a thing." Sora glances at the Commander, who gives Russo a confused look. Livid, Russo grabs the gun and attempts to fire at Sora, but the weapon is too badly damaged.
Jake steps behind Sora and whispers, "Sora, what are you doing?"
Sora smiles and glances back. "You trust me, right?" Jake returns her smile and nods. "Good." Sora's eyes glow with a purple fire. She points towards the Commander and the others, angrily yelling, "Over by that bastard you call a Major. NOW!" As she shouts, a mirror and a pair of brandy glasses on the desk shatter.
The group do as they're told. Carefully, the Commander says, "Sora, please. I doesn't have to be like this."
"Oh, it doesn't, huh?" Sora let's out a sarcastic laugh, looking at Shen, Vahlen, and Bradford in turn. "So what should I do with the man that built the small prison I was shoved into, or the woman that had it commissioned, or the man who is supposed to be in charge of the soldiers who captured me." She points at Russo, and the glow in her eyes intensifies. "Or the man who has spent nearly a week straight torturing me!"
As an orb of energy grows to the size of a beach ball in Sora's hand, the commander steps forward. "Sora, I'm sorry. You have every right to be angry. But as Commander of this base, responsibility falls squarely on my shoulders. If anyone needs to die today, it should be me alone."
Sora laughs loudly. "Wow, I have to say, that is quite noble of you, but I can't agree with you. And do you know why?"
Shaking his head slowly, the Commander says, "No. Why?"
"Because she's not going to kill anyone," Jake says, placing a hand on Sora's shoulder. "She only wanted to prove that she could, if Russo was right about her."
The energy dissipating from her hand, Sora lets out a frustrated groan. "Jaaaaake!" She turns to him and lightly beats on his chest. "You stole my big moment, you jerk."
The Commander lets out a sugh of relief. "Well, you sure put on a good act. So what happens now?"
"What do you mean?" Sora sits on the floor, suddenly visibly tired. "I've proven my point. And you're the Commander. If you want to throw me back in that cell, then so be it."
Jake kneels next to her says, "Sora, don't."
Sora shakes her head. "It's okay. I'll even tell you how I escaped so you can make sure I don't do it again." She points up. "That cell is extremely strong, even against psychokinetic energy. Especially against psychokinetic energy. It took me five days of constantly focusing on one point on the top of it to bore a nearly microscopic hole in it. A little too small for me to squeeze through, but big enough to reach the people in the room."
The Commander laughs, a laugh that starts with a chuckle and ends with him balling, the others looking at him like he's insane. After taking a moment to regain his composure, he says, "That's rich. I have to say, though, I'm not happy about the idea of having to repair my containment facility. I'll have to find somewhere else to keep you. I was thinking about confining you to your room, at least until I figure this whole mess out."
Jake and Sora smile at each other, and wrap their arms around each other. An angered Russo steps forward and shouts, "Sir, this is madness! You're playing into her hands!"
"In what way?" Vahlen asks. "She could have killed us, but she didn't. Why?"
"It's a trick!" Russo gives the others a look of desperation. "She's leading us into a false sense of security."
"To what end?" Shen folds his arms. "She has the bases Commander, his second in command, the lead scientist, and the head of engineering right were she needs them. If she was going to hurt X-COM, then what better chance could she have?"
"Tell me, Major." Bradford says. "Have there been any casualties since she escaped. For that matter, why did we receive no word of her escape until you came through that door?"
"I, um..."
Sora shrugs. "I'm sure the Major here was just concerned about spreading panic. It looked like he was about to tell you now. Right, Major?"
Russo scowls, but in a reluctant tone, says, "Yes, that's right."
The Commander shakes his head. "Jake, please escort Sora to her quarters." With a nod and a smile, Jake and Sora take their leave. The Commander motions for Bradford, Vahlen, and Shen to leave, and they exit as well. Turning to Russo, he folds his arms and says, "Major, we need to have a talk about the chain of command on this base, as well the proper time and place for taking the imitative."
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that reminds me i have made a new thread just for stories
I don't know why but I always imagine this song during a before mission loading screen with all the troops in the skyranger or if you troops are getting cut down really fits the mood of XCOM.
Frostlich1228
Well-Known Member
Voices in my Head: Part Twelve
Sora nestles against Jake's side, panting lightly. She wipes a bead of sweat from her brow. "Have I told you lately how much I love you?" She asks, looking into Jake's eyes.
Jake smiles back. "You have. Though I hope it's more then one thing you love about me."
Sora traces her fingers across Jake's bare chest. "It isn't my fault we don't get a lot of alone time. I just want to get as much use out of it as I can." She sits on Jake's waist, smiling at the sight of Jake's wondering eyes. Leaning over so her face is directly over his, her chest lightly pressing against his, she adds, "And besides, it took you over a month to work up the nerve to kiss me in public, let alone get us here. I swear, you men have no trouble fighting the craziest of villains and monsters, but when it comes to showing any sign of public affection, you are all scared puppies."
Jake smirks. "You're right, kitten. And besides, I'm not complaining." He wraps his arms around her and presses his lips against her's. He pulls away at the sound of movement outside the room. "You locked the door, right?"
Sora's eyes widen as the door opens and Rei and Hitomi enter, letting out shrieks of disgust at the sight of their roommates. "Oh, dear GOD!" Rei shouts. "For the love of everything that is good and clean in this world, put some clothes on."
Hitomi covers her eyes. "Man, it's like walking in on your parents." She peaks between her fingers as Sora quickly throws on her clothes, smirking slightly. "Though mom is looking pretty good." Rei slaps her lightly on the back of the head.
"Oh, hush," Sora returns, slipping on her shirt. "At least we're in the privacy of our own room."
"Yeah," Jake adds, struggling to get dressed under the covers. "Don't think we've forgotten about that little incident in the public showers."
Rei and Hitomi both blush, and Rei shouts, "We told you, it was a misunderstanding!"
"Yeah!" Hitomi stomps her foot. "Those perverted soldiers that saw us were just imagining what they wanted to see."
"Yeah right." Sora shakes her head. "You just keep telling yourself that, and maybe we'll start..." A familiar alarm sounds out, and Sora gives Jake a serious look. "They're starting the mission."
Jake nods, and quickly throws on his shoes. As he and Sora leave, he tells the other two, "We'll be back," and the pair quickly run down the hallway.
They arrive at the public viewing room, the monitors already displaying the views of the soldiers as they walk through the alien Mothership. "Do you think this will work?" Sora asks, worry in her tone.
"It has to." Jake shakes his head. "We won't get another chance."
"It'll work." Major Russo steps next to the two. "They're the best soldiers in X-COM. They'll finish this."
Jake sneers at the Major, clenching a fist tightly. Sora places a hand on Jake's shoulder and says, "Don't."
"You shouldn't stop him." Russo gives the two a sincere look. "I deserve every ounce of your anger and more."
"Why the sudden change of heart?" Jake asks through clenched teeth.
Russo sighs. "You know, I've been informed that the aliens tried to attack the base again a few months ago."
Jake raises an eyebrow. "I didn't hear anything about that."
Russo nods. "That's because Sora single-handedly blocked their attempts at mind control with some kind of mental shield, and they didn't attempt a breach when that failed." Jake gives Sora a questioning look, and the Major adds, "Please do not be angry with her. The Commander swore her to secrecy, for the sake of base morale."
"So," Sora places her hands on her hips. "Does that mean you aren't angry with me anymore. No more thoughts of vengeance or what have you?"
Russo looks surprised. "I would think it was you who would be enraged with me." He turns his attention to the monitors, focusing on the Psionic soldier leading the mission. "In my attempts to stop the alien threat, I failed to see that I had become just like them. Many of our advances here have shown that." He turns back towards Sora. "You, too, have become like them, but unlike us, it was not by choice, and it was wrong of me to take out my aggressions on you." Russo drops to one knee and bows his head. "I have wronged you in a way that I can never make up for, and though I deserve not your forgiveness, I must still give you my most sincere apology."
Jake and Sora exchange a shocked look. "Please, stand up Major," Sora says, and Russo does so. "I've already forgiven you." She chuckles. "Though the apology was appreciated. You have a way with words, sir."
"Just as you have a way with people." Russo smiles. The smile is wiped from his face at the sound of an explosion on the monitors. The three turn to look as the soldiers fight their way through what appears to be the ship's bridge. After several minutes of intense fighting, the alien leader falls, and everything goes silent.
Sora falls to her knees, clenching her head in pain. "What's wrong!" Jake yells as he and Russo drop to her side.
"The alien device...on the bridge..." Sora lifts a shaking hand and points it towards the screen. "Without the alien leader to...t-to control it...it will cause a massive breach in the ship's engine."
"It's okay." Russo places a hand on Sora's shoulder. "I'm sure they'll get out in time."
"No, you don't understand!" Sora shakes her head violently. "If the engine core breaches within our atmosphere.....the r-resulting implosion, it...it'll rip the planet apart!"
"How do you know that?" Jake asks frantically. "You haven't shown any ability to see into the future before."
"The alien, he..." Tears stream down Sora's face. "He knew this would happen. He sent out a psychic message before he died. To mock us."
"Look!" Russo points at the screen. "They've pulled out, but the psionic soldier stayed behind!"
As they watch, the soldier attempts to interact with the strange alien device. "What's he doing?" Jake asks.
"He's...saving us." Sora watches in awe, a glimmer of hope in her eyes as the ship ascends into space. Moments after exiting the Earth's atmosphere, the ship explodes in a brilliant flash of light.
The group watch the screens for several minutes as the soldiers and staff around them either cheer or give sighs of relief. Several feet away, obscured by the crowd, Jake can hear a woman crying and some of the soldiers consoling her. "Is it over," he manages to ask through his shock.
"Almost." Russo nervously rubs the back of his neck. "We'll have to pick up the stragglers, but I think the major threat is over."
Russo salutes the pair, and quickly exits. Helping Sora to her feet, Jake asks, "Are you alright?" Sora nods. She wipes away her tears, and wraps her arms around Jake. She kisses him, holding the kiss for a full minute. As she pulls away, Jake smiles and says. "Thank you Sora. For everything."
Sora starts to ask what he is thanking her for, but instead says, "You're welcome. Any time." Clasping his hand and pulling him along, she says, "Come on. Let's go tell the others." The two run off towards the civilian barracks as the soldiers and crew around them continue to celebrate their hard fought victory.
Sora nestles against Jake's side, panting lightly. She wipes a bead of sweat from her brow. "Have I told you lately how much I love you?" She asks, looking into Jake's eyes.
Jake smiles back. "You have. Though I hope it's more then one thing you love about me."
Sora traces her fingers across Jake's bare chest. "It isn't my fault we don't get a lot of alone time. I just want to get as much use out of it as I can." She sits on Jake's waist, smiling at the sight of Jake's wondering eyes. Leaning over so her face is directly over his, her chest lightly pressing against his, she adds, "And besides, it took you over a month to work up the nerve to kiss me in public, let alone get us here. I swear, you men have no trouble fighting the craziest of villains and monsters, but when it comes to showing any sign of public affection, you are all scared puppies."
Jake smirks. "You're right, kitten. And besides, I'm not complaining." He wraps his arms around her and presses his lips against her's. He pulls away at the sound of movement outside the room. "You locked the door, right?"
Sora's eyes widen as the door opens and Rei and Hitomi enter, letting out shrieks of disgust at the sight of their roommates. "Oh, dear GOD!" Rei shouts. "For the love of everything that is good and clean in this world, put some clothes on."
Hitomi covers her eyes. "Man, it's like walking in on your parents." She peaks between her fingers as Sora quickly throws on her clothes, smirking slightly. "Though mom is looking pretty good." Rei slaps her lightly on the back of the head.
"Oh, hush," Sora returns, slipping on her shirt. "At least we're in the privacy of our own room."
"Yeah," Jake adds, struggling to get dressed under the covers. "Don't think we've forgotten about that little incident in the public showers."
Rei and Hitomi both blush, and Rei shouts, "We told you, it was a misunderstanding!"
"Yeah!" Hitomi stomps her foot. "Those perverted soldiers that saw us were just imagining what they wanted to see."
"Yeah right." Sora shakes her head. "You just keep telling yourself that, and maybe we'll start..." A familiar alarm sounds out, and Sora gives Jake a serious look. "They're starting the mission."
Jake nods, and quickly throws on his shoes. As he and Sora leave, he tells the other two, "We'll be back," and the pair quickly run down the hallway.
They arrive at the public viewing room, the monitors already displaying the views of the soldiers as they walk through the alien Mothership. "Do you think this will work?" Sora asks, worry in her tone.
"It has to." Jake shakes his head. "We won't get another chance."
"It'll work." Major Russo steps next to the two. "They're the best soldiers in X-COM. They'll finish this."
Jake sneers at the Major, clenching a fist tightly. Sora places a hand on Jake's shoulder and says, "Don't."
"You shouldn't stop him." Russo gives the two a sincere look. "I deserve every ounce of your anger and more."
"Why the sudden change of heart?" Jake asks through clenched teeth.
Russo sighs. "You know, I've been informed that the aliens tried to attack the base again a few months ago."
Jake raises an eyebrow. "I didn't hear anything about that."
Russo nods. "That's because Sora single-handedly blocked their attempts at mind control with some kind of mental shield, and they didn't attempt a breach when that failed." Jake gives Sora a questioning look, and the Major adds, "Please do not be angry with her. The Commander swore her to secrecy, for the sake of base morale."
"So," Sora places her hands on her hips. "Does that mean you aren't angry with me anymore. No more thoughts of vengeance or what have you?"
Russo looks surprised. "I would think it was you who would be enraged with me." He turns his attention to the monitors, focusing on the Psionic soldier leading the mission. "In my attempts to stop the alien threat, I failed to see that I had become just like them. Many of our advances here have shown that." He turns back towards Sora. "You, too, have become like them, but unlike us, it was not by choice, and it was wrong of me to take out my aggressions on you." Russo drops to one knee and bows his head. "I have wronged you in a way that I can never make up for, and though I deserve not your forgiveness, I must still give you my most sincere apology."
Jake and Sora exchange a shocked look. "Please, stand up Major," Sora says, and Russo does so. "I've already forgiven you." She chuckles. "Though the apology was appreciated. You have a way with words, sir."
"Just as you have a way with people." Russo smiles. The smile is wiped from his face at the sound of an explosion on the monitors. The three turn to look as the soldiers fight their way through what appears to be the ship's bridge. After several minutes of intense fighting, the alien leader falls, and everything goes silent.
Sora falls to her knees, clenching her head in pain. "What's wrong!" Jake yells as he and Russo drop to her side.
"The alien device...on the bridge..." Sora lifts a shaking hand and points it towards the screen. "Without the alien leader to...t-to control it...it will cause a massive breach in the ship's engine."
"It's okay." Russo places a hand on Sora's shoulder. "I'm sure they'll get out in time."
"No, you don't understand!" Sora shakes her head violently. "If the engine core breaches within our atmosphere.....the r-resulting implosion, it...it'll rip the planet apart!"
"How do you know that?" Jake asks frantically. "You haven't shown any ability to see into the future before."
"The alien, he..." Tears stream down Sora's face. "He knew this would happen. He sent out a psychic message before he died. To mock us."
"Look!" Russo points at the screen. "They've pulled out, but the psionic soldier stayed behind!"
As they watch, the soldier attempts to interact with the strange alien device. "What's he doing?" Jake asks.
"He's...saving us." Sora watches in awe, a glimmer of hope in her eyes as the ship ascends into space. Moments after exiting the Earth's atmosphere, the ship explodes in a brilliant flash of light.
The group watch the screens for several minutes as the soldiers and staff around them either cheer or give sighs of relief. Several feet away, obscured by the crowd, Jake can hear a woman crying and some of the soldiers consoling her. "Is it over," he manages to ask through his shock.
"Almost." Russo nervously rubs the back of his neck. "We'll have to pick up the stragglers, but I think the major threat is over."
Russo salutes the pair, and quickly exits. Helping Sora to her feet, Jake asks, "Are you alright?" Sora nods. She wipes away her tears, and wraps her arms around Jake. She kisses him, holding the kiss for a full minute. As she pulls away, Jake smiles and says. "Thank you Sora. For everything."
Sora starts to ask what he is thanking her for, but instead says, "You're welcome. Any time." Clasping his hand and pulling him along, she says, "Come on. Let's go tell the others." The two run off towards the civilian barracks as the soldiers and crew around them continue to celebrate their hard fought victory.
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Adrammalech
Well-Known Member
O hai thar.
DarkGemini24601
Well-Known Member
I really liked the ending to "Voices in my Head." I was worried it was going to end with Sora being brutalized but I'm glad to see things turned out for the better, and that Sora wasn't the volunteer. (That would have been unfortunate 
)
)
Why, Thank You! I don't know what makes me happier, then compliment or knowing that someone read my little story.I really liked the ending to "Voices in my Head." I was worried it was going to end with Sora being brutalized but I'm glad to see things turned out for the better, and that Sora wasn't the volunteer. (That would have been unfortunate
It might be hard to believe with all the negative twists and turns I take in my writing, but I'm actually a sucker for a happy ending. But only if the characters earn it through trial and diversity. If everything is happy throughout, the happy ending rings hollow.
I also enjoy the development of a character. While I'm not going to claim I had everything planned out (honestly, much of it was made up as I went along, with only the next part being in the back of my mind), I did have something of a plan for Sora, with her acting as the typical "damsel in distress" in the beginning, only to turn around and be the one who is thanked by the male lead in the end instead the other way around.
And as far as the volunteer goes, while I was trying to be subtle with it, I had season three in mind throughout. This is most obvious in the Commander's references to the soldiers on base, though I'd be interested if anyone picked up on any of the other references I made.
BMPixy
Well-Known Member
I guess this is my big 'hey glad the site is back' message. Figured that I had to make all that time the site was offline look somewhat productive and come back with another entry to this little story I'm throwing together. Anywho, for future reference, I’ve taken a couple liberties with psionic powers, which includes giving high-level XCOM psionics Psi Bolt and making Telekinetic Field block attacks rather than deflect/distort them. Getting that out of the way, I now present...
December 31st, 2015
As I paused in my retelling, I noticed the Commander flipping through a file, complete with helmet cam images of the mission. Why would he need me to retell what happened if he already had our footage?
Then, as if sensing my thoughts, which was a possibility that you couldn’t rule out these days, the Commander said, “Everything with your story matches up so far with the accumulated data. However, after the appearance of the Uber-Ethereal, all outgoing feeds cut out. What happened in there?”
“It... it was a mess,” I said. “Everything happened so quickly, and it was just so...” I trailed off, leaving naught but silence in the room. Losing Aludra was something nobody expected. After all, she was practically invincible. And he was asking me to drag up even more memories from that op?
“Listen, from the moment we saw who didn’t come out of that Skyranger, it’s been nothing but mourning, despite our victory. I know you two were close, but I... WE need to know what the hell happened. So, if you could please continue...”
I sighed, knowing he was right. Summoning up my courage once more, I continued.
“Shredder out!” Cockburn yelled as I dived for cover from the hail of plasma spewing forth from the twin plasma cannons on the Battle Suit. The pulsing of the Fusion Blaster projectile’s flight temporarily led to the hail of plasma ceasing. A blast echoed through the hall, followed by the rocketeer’s voice shouting, “No effect!” I took a quick peek out of my cover, and saw the enemy war machine hunkered in position.
“Dammit, how much can this thing take!?” I yelled, fumbling a new clip into my plasma rifle.
“Requesting suppressing fire!” Sitz commanded, and I decided to take my chances, spraying plasma wildly over the top of my cover. The MEC sprinted by me, the capacitors on it’s back charging. As it approached the enemy, a pulse of lightning flashed out from around the MEC, arcing across the metal frame of the foe. A cheer went up as the suit toppled backwards as the EMP short-circuited it’s leg servos, leaving it a spasming wreck.
As Sitz strolled up the cockpit of the battle suit to finish the pilot, Iliev shouted, “Wait, I can still feel it’s-!”
Reality tore apart under the MEC, turning the alloy-reinforced legs into naught but scrap metal. A cry of pain came from the pilot, as the enemy suit recovered from the effects of the EMP.
“The New One’s kin falls, and our fear grows, as we question the worthiness of our selection...” That damned voice echoed in our heads once more. Talking about us as if we were some lab subjects? As rage filled my mind and I moved to toss my entire bandolier of grenades at the mechanized monstrosity, a modulated voice echoed from under the boot of the foe.
“F-fuck you too, a-asshole...” A large beam of light, larger than what a particle beam cannon should have produced, shot out from the ruined form of Sitz, and pierced through the leg servo, and continued out the other end into the hull of the vessel. A small blast followed as the offending weapon was torn to shreds, and the Uber-Ethereal roared in pain.
Taking the chance, we survivors opened up on the damaged leg, but a raised fist brought up a purple field, which absorbed our attacks. Working quickly, the Ethereal grabbed the wrecked MEC in one fist, and began to squeeze. The alloys held for a second, then the cockpit shattered, the grey steel and red of Sitz’s blood splattering across the area, a final cry of anguish coming from the augmented soldier.
Finally free of the distractions of our super-heavy support, the Ethereal turned towards us. It’s massive plasma cannons took aim, and a short whirring sound preluded a barrage of plasma, spilling right towards us. Cockburn was quick, and our own shield was razed, the trooper straining under the mental pressure of holding the Telekinetic Field up. Then, from the heavens like the finger of God came three blobs of plasma. So distracted by the Psychic Heavy’s resistance, it didn’t notice the first two puncture the twinned plasma cannons, rupturing them and rendering the UFO-grade weaponry useless. However the third shot was caught in a small field of purple light. A momentary pause, and then realization. That ability-!
“Arriola look ou-!” I yelled, and then with a flash the pulse of plasma flew back towards it’s sender. The Sniper tried to dive for the safety of the Telekinetic Field, but it was too late. The round pierced through her armor, and into her jetpack, breaching containment and sending Arriola plunging towards the ground in flames. She was dead before she even hit the ceiling of the Telekinetic Field.
A wordless cry of rage echoed forth from Iliev, and then silence reigned for just those few moments, until the Ethereal turned towards us once again.
Tears poured down my face, as I futilely struggled to hold in the sobs. So focused was I on that task that I didn’t notice the Commander move, his hand pressing on my shoulder. I looked at him, doing my best to look vaguely disciplined despite the tears and snot spilling out of my face.
“I think this is enough for today. We can continue this tomorrow. Is that alright with you?”
A silent nod was my only response.
BOSS FIGHT REWRITE! PART 2!
December 31st, 2015
As I paused in my retelling, I noticed the Commander flipping through a file, complete with helmet cam images of the mission. Why would he need me to retell what happened if he already had our footage?
Then, as if sensing my thoughts, which was a possibility that you couldn’t rule out these days, the Commander said, “Everything with your story matches up so far with the accumulated data. However, after the appearance of the Uber-Ethereal, all outgoing feeds cut out. What happened in there?”
“It... it was a mess,” I said. “Everything happened so quickly, and it was just so...” I trailed off, leaving naught but silence in the room. Losing Aludra was something nobody expected. After all, she was practically invincible. And he was asking me to drag up even more memories from that op?
“Listen, from the moment we saw who didn’t come out of that Skyranger, it’s been nothing but mourning, despite our victory. I know you two were close, but I... WE need to know what the hell happened. So, if you could please continue...”
I sighed, knowing he was right. Summoning up my courage once more, I continued.
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[SEVEN DAYS EARLIER]
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[SEVEN DAYS EARLIER]
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“Shredder out!” Cockburn yelled as I dived for cover from the hail of plasma spewing forth from the twin plasma cannons on the Battle Suit. The pulsing of the Fusion Blaster projectile’s flight temporarily led to the hail of plasma ceasing. A blast echoed through the hall, followed by the rocketeer’s voice shouting, “No effect!” I took a quick peek out of my cover, and saw the enemy war machine hunkered in position.
“Dammit, how much can this thing take!?” I yelled, fumbling a new clip into my plasma rifle.
“Requesting suppressing fire!” Sitz commanded, and I decided to take my chances, spraying plasma wildly over the top of my cover. The MEC sprinted by me, the capacitors on it’s back charging. As it approached the enemy, a pulse of lightning flashed out from around the MEC, arcing across the metal frame of the foe. A cheer went up as the suit toppled backwards as the EMP short-circuited it’s leg servos, leaving it a spasming wreck.
As Sitz strolled up the cockpit of the battle suit to finish the pilot, Iliev shouted, “Wait, I can still feel it’s-!”
Reality tore apart under the MEC, turning the alloy-reinforced legs into naught but scrap metal. A cry of pain came from the pilot, as the enemy suit recovered from the effects of the EMP.
“The New One’s kin falls, and our fear grows, as we question the worthiness of our selection...” That damned voice echoed in our heads once more. Talking about us as if we were some lab subjects? As rage filled my mind and I moved to toss my entire bandolier of grenades at the mechanized monstrosity, a modulated voice echoed from under the boot of the foe.
“F-fuck you too, a-asshole...” A large beam of light, larger than what a particle beam cannon should have produced, shot out from the ruined form of Sitz, and pierced through the leg servo, and continued out the other end into the hull of the vessel. A small blast followed as the offending weapon was torn to shreds, and the Uber-Ethereal roared in pain.
Taking the chance, we survivors opened up on the damaged leg, but a raised fist brought up a purple field, which absorbed our attacks. Working quickly, the Ethereal grabbed the wrecked MEC in one fist, and began to squeeze. The alloys held for a second, then the cockpit shattered, the grey steel and red of Sitz’s blood splattering across the area, a final cry of anguish coming from the augmented soldier.
Finally free of the distractions of our super-heavy support, the Ethereal turned towards us. It’s massive plasma cannons took aim, and a short whirring sound preluded a barrage of plasma, spilling right towards us. Cockburn was quick, and our own shield was razed, the trooper straining under the mental pressure of holding the Telekinetic Field up. Then, from the heavens like the finger of God came three blobs of plasma. So distracted by the Psychic Heavy’s resistance, it didn’t notice the first two puncture the twinned plasma cannons, rupturing them and rendering the UFO-grade weaponry useless. However the third shot was caught in a small field of purple light. A momentary pause, and then realization. That ability-!
“Arriola look ou-!” I yelled, and then with a flash the pulse of plasma flew back towards it’s sender. The Sniper tried to dive for the safety of the Telekinetic Field, but it was too late. The round pierced through her armor, and into her jetpack, breaching containment and sending Arriola plunging towards the ground in flames. She was dead before she even hit the ceiling of the Telekinetic Field.
A wordless cry of rage echoed forth from Iliev, and then silence reigned for just those few moments, until the Ethereal turned towards us once again.
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Tears poured down my face, as I futilely struggled to hold in the sobs. So focused was I on that task that I didn’t notice the Commander move, his hand pressing on my shoulder. I looked at him, doing my best to look vaguely disciplined despite the tears and snot spilling out of my face.
“I think this is enough for today. We can continue this tomorrow. Is that alright with you?”
A silent nod was my only response.
And to think this all started because i got bored
Dahlexpert
Well-Known Member
Ok guys,this is something that I was going to post before the site crashed, but the day I was writing it the site went down.
So I hope you guys enjoy this.
A X-com DR turns on her camera. Ok hi my name is Aeliana Gunner, And iv recently have been transfused to the X-com project.
Um clearly this is a military project and I'm a scientist but the reason I've been transfused here is because the x-com solders found this weird element on the battlefield, and they brought me in to study this elighment and see if it is toxic to humans or if it can help us with the war.
Log 1
Gunner puts on a mask, and gloves and extracts a large substance of the meld and put's it in a microscope. hum very interesting it seems that this substance is organic and inorganic at the same time very interesting it's like a living metal hum ok lets try test number one.
Aeliana put's a needle in her arm and takes some blood out of it. Ok, let's see what the substance does to human blood. the alien substance is merging with the human blood.
Well this is interesting it seems that the alien substance is merging with the blood and changing it, it seems to be changing the red blood cells into to more of these machines, Dr Aeliana takes of her mask and gloves. Well the substance seems to be none toxic to humans but I need to run more test, then I need to test it on living subjects and then well see what it does to humans.
So I hope you guys enjoy this.
A X-com DR turns on her camera. Ok hi my name is Aeliana Gunner, And iv recently have been transfused to the X-com project.
Um clearly this is a military project and I'm a scientist but the reason I've been transfused here is because the x-com solders found this weird element on the battlefield, and they brought me in to study this elighment and see if it is toxic to humans or if it can help us with the war.
Log 1
Gunner puts on a mask, and gloves and extracts a large substance of the meld and put's it in a microscope. hum very interesting it seems that this substance is organic and inorganic at the same time very interesting it's like a living metal hum ok lets try test number one.
Aeliana put's a needle in her arm and takes some blood out of it. Ok, let's see what the substance does to human blood. the alien substance is merging with the human blood.
Well this is interesting it seems that the alien substance is merging with the blood and changing it, it seems to be changing the red blood cells into to more of these machines, Dr Aeliana takes of her mask and gloves. Well the substance seems to be none toxic to humans but I need to run more test, then I need to test it on living subjects and then well see what it does to humans.
Started throwing this one together while bored at work. It'll be a lot shorter then the last one, probably just this one and one more. Please tell me what you guys think. I enjoy the feedback.
First Day on the Job: Part One
"And this, my boy, is the hologlobe," The Commander said, waving his hand towards the massive hologram taking up the center of the room. "With this, we can see the comings and goings of our extraterrestrial guests in real time, in addition to other organizations that..." He thought for a moment, "Let's just say they don't have our best interests in mind. Best not to put too much burden on you on the first day."
"It is a lot to take in, sir." Jackie smiled nervously, scratching the back of his head. He stared up at the large projection before him, a flashing red light over Austria catching his eye. "What's that, sir?" he asked, pointing toward the offending light.
"Hm?" The Commander quickly walked over to the computer, typing rapidly. "Damn, speak of the devils."
"Sir?" Jackie took a cautious step forward, attempting to look over the Commander's shoulder without it being to obvious that he was doing so.
"They've been at it for weeks, constantly a thorn in our side." The Commander rubbed his temples, his face the picture of frustration. "As if we didn't have enough to do with the aliens here, we have this misguided organization of fellow humans undermining everything we do."
"Undermining how, sir?" Jackie asked, looking around at the people now running to and fro in the command center.
"Intercepting supplies, blocking funds, hacking our systems. We're pretty much racing each other to see who can find who's main headquarters first. I'm afraid they might be in the lead."
Jackie frowned. "Can't they be reasoned with?"
The Commander shook his head. "We've tried. But when one side sees something as a threat, and the other sees it as salvation, there is little in the way of middle ground."
"Besides," said a woman typing on a computer a few feet away, "They're a bunch of fanatics who always shoot first and ask questions never. The first time we encountered them on the field, they immediately opened fire the moment our men came into view."
The Commander clenched his fists. "If only we could get the drop on them, instead of just having to clean up after them afterwards."
"Commander!" The woman looked up from the computer, a broad smile across her face. "You might get your chance. Radar shows no enemy vehicles in the area."
"Send the coordinates to Dropships Two and Three." The Commander quickly flipped the switch for the intercom. "Smith, Carol, Gurlukovich, Wesker, form a team of four and get to the hanger in five. Details will be given on the way." Turning to Jackie, he said, "You too, son. Time for your first mission."
Jackie swallowed hard. Doing his best to suppress a nervous look, he saluted the Commander and quickly made his way to the hanger.
(Twenty-four minutes later, over Austrian airspace)
Jackie looked around at the eight men crammed in the plane around him like sardines in a can, his nervous mind racing. Oh God, why am I even here? Am I even ready for this. This is a group that deals with beings from a whole other world on a daily basis, and I'm getting scared because we're going up against a single human.
He examined the stone-cold faces of each of his colleagues in turn. Look at them. They don't even look the least bit worried. These are real soldiers. Alright, that's enough, no more doubting yourself. Mimicking the soldier next to him, Jackie started to look his rifle up and down, focusing all his attention on it until the dropship touched down.
"Come on," the imposing Major said to Jackie as the group stepped off the ship and half of them moved to the left. "I'm Major Arnold Wesker." He pointed to each of his men in turn. "This is Daniels, McCloud, and Verne. Don't look so nervous. This'll be a cake walk. Just watch us and do what we do, and you'll be fine." Looking down at Jackie's rifle with a raised eyebrow, he added, "Just make sure you take the safety off."
As the group moved forward to the right, Jackie rolled his eyes at his own incompetence and hit the safety. Taking up the rear, he made sure to scan every corner of the street as he moved, so much so that he didn't notice he was being left behind.
Lost and on the brink of panic, he reluctantly reached for his communicator, knowing he'd never hear the end of it for having to call to be picked up like a lost child. Suddenly, from around the corner in an alley, he heard the sounds of gunshots. After a few moments, the shooting ceased, and the sounds of struggling could be heard.
Jackie quickly ran towards the noise, crossing his fingers that none of his allies were hurt. He slowed his approach at the sight of the other soldiers all in one piece. "Damn it," Major Wesker muttered, standing behind the rest and examining his right forearm.
"Are you alright, sir?" Jackie quickly ran to his side and pulled out a first-aid spray, putting it away when the Major waved his hand.
"Fine, fine, just a flesh wound." Wesker rolled his sleeve down and shrugged. "Got a jump on the bitch and she still managed to clip me. I swear, give these people an inch and they sure make you pay for it."
"I dare ya to give me another!" Shouted a female voice. "You'll get more then a scratch. Everyone of you!"
Submitting to his curiosity, Jackie took a few steps forward. Pinned to the ground by Daniels and McCloud, with Verne above them with his weapon at the ready, was a young woman, somewhere in her mid-twenties. Her attractive features, emerald eyes, and long, blond hair reminded Jackie of a girl he had a crush on back home in New Jersey. A cheerleader, someone Jackie watched from afar but never had the guts to approach.
The woman wore street clothes, plain jeans, an ugly, half-open jacket with a plain shirt underneath, her hair tied in a pony-tail. Jackie thought for a moment that she looked so "average-citizen" that it actually made her stand out, but realized how stupid that sounded, and figured it was just because she stood out when compared to what he and his associates were wearing. A few feet from her, a laser pistol sat under Verne's foot. "Hey, Major, they said this was the only one here, right?" McCloud asked.
"Then that means we have time to have a little fun, right?" Daniels cracked his knuckles, smirking.
"Well, I haven't radioed the others yet," the Major answered, shrugging, "So I don't see why not."
"What...do you mean, fun?" Jackie felt a sick feeling in his stomach, and took a step back.
"And this, my boy, is the hologlobe," The Commander said, waving his hand towards the massive hologram taking up the center of the room. "With this, we can see the comings and goings of our extraterrestrial guests in real time, in addition to other organizations that..." He thought for a moment, "Let's just say they don't have our best interests in mind. Best not to put too much burden on you on the first day."
"It is a lot to take in, sir." Jackie smiled nervously, scratching the back of his head. He stared up at the large projection before him, a flashing red light over Austria catching his eye. "What's that, sir?" he asked, pointing toward the offending light.
"Hm?" The Commander quickly walked over to the computer, typing rapidly. "Damn, speak of the devils."
"Sir?" Jackie took a cautious step forward, attempting to look over the Commander's shoulder without it being to obvious that he was doing so.
"They've been at it for weeks, constantly a thorn in our side." The Commander rubbed his temples, his face the picture of frustration. "As if we didn't have enough to do with the aliens here, we have this misguided organization of fellow humans undermining everything we do."
"Undermining how, sir?" Jackie asked, looking around at the people now running to and fro in the command center.
"Intercepting supplies, blocking funds, hacking our systems. We're pretty much racing each other to see who can find who's main headquarters first. I'm afraid they might be in the lead."
Jackie frowned. "Can't they be reasoned with?"
The Commander shook his head. "We've tried. But when one side sees something as a threat, and the other sees it as salvation, there is little in the way of middle ground."
"Besides," said a woman typing on a computer a few feet away, "They're a bunch of fanatics who always shoot first and ask questions never. The first time we encountered them on the field, they immediately opened fire the moment our men came into view."
The Commander clenched his fists. "If only we could get the drop on them, instead of just having to clean up after them afterwards."
"Commander!" The woman looked up from the computer, a broad smile across her face. "You might get your chance. Radar shows no enemy vehicles in the area."
"Send the coordinates to Dropships Two and Three." The Commander quickly flipped the switch for the intercom. "Smith, Carol, Gurlukovich, Wesker, form a team of four and get to the hanger in five. Details will be given on the way." Turning to Jackie, he said, "You too, son. Time for your first mission."
Jackie swallowed hard. Doing his best to suppress a nervous look, he saluted the Commander and quickly made his way to the hanger.
(Twenty-four minutes later, over Austrian airspace)
Jackie looked around at the eight men crammed in the plane around him like sardines in a can, his nervous mind racing. Oh God, why am I even here? Am I even ready for this. This is a group that deals with beings from a whole other world on a daily basis, and I'm getting scared because we're going up against a single human.
He examined the stone-cold faces of each of his colleagues in turn. Look at them. They don't even look the least bit worried. These are real soldiers. Alright, that's enough, no more doubting yourself. Mimicking the soldier next to him, Jackie started to look his rifle up and down, focusing all his attention on it until the dropship touched down.
"Come on," the imposing Major said to Jackie as the group stepped off the ship and half of them moved to the left. "I'm Major Arnold Wesker." He pointed to each of his men in turn. "This is Daniels, McCloud, and Verne. Don't look so nervous. This'll be a cake walk. Just watch us and do what we do, and you'll be fine." Looking down at Jackie's rifle with a raised eyebrow, he added, "Just make sure you take the safety off."
As the group moved forward to the right, Jackie rolled his eyes at his own incompetence and hit the safety. Taking up the rear, he made sure to scan every corner of the street as he moved, so much so that he didn't notice he was being left behind.
Lost and on the brink of panic, he reluctantly reached for his communicator, knowing he'd never hear the end of it for having to call to be picked up like a lost child. Suddenly, from around the corner in an alley, he heard the sounds of gunshots. After a few moments, the shooting ceased, and the sounds of struggling could be heard.
Jackie quickly ran towards the noise, crossing his fingers that none of his allies were hurt. He slowed his approach at the sight of the other soldiers all in one piece. "Damn it," Major Wesker muttered, standing behind the rest and examining his right forearm.
"Are you alright, sir?" Jackie quickly ran to his side and pulled out a first-aid spray, putting it away when the Major waved his hand.
"Fine, fine, just a flesh wound." Wesker rolled his sleeve down and shrugged. "Got a jump on the bitch and she still managed to clip me. I swear, give these people an inch and they sure make you pay for it."
"I dare ya to give me another!" Shouted a female voice. "You'll get more then a scratch. Everyone of you!"
Submitting to his curiosity, Jackie took a few steps forward. Pinned to the ground by Daniels and McCloud, with Verne above them with his weapon at the ready, was a young woman, somewhere in her mid-twenties. Her attractive features, emerald eyes, and long, blond hair reminded Jackie of a girl he had a crush on back home in New Jersey. A cheerleader, someone Jackie watched from afar but never had the guts to approach.
The woman wore street clothes, plain jeans, an ugly, half-open jacket with a plain shirt underneath, her hair tied in a pony-tail. Jackie thought for a moment that she looked so "average-citizen" that it actually made her stand out, but realized how stupid that sounded, and figured it was just because she stood out when compared to what he and his associates were wearing. A few feet from her, a laser pistol sat under Verne's foot. "Hey, Major, they said this was the only one here, right?" McCloud asked.
"Then that means we have time to have a little fun, right?" Daniels cracked his knuckles, smirking.
"Well, I haven't radioed the others yet," the Major answered, shrugging, "So I don't see why not."
"What...do you mean, fun?" Jackie felt a sick feeling in his stomach, and took a step back.
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First Day on the Job: Part Two
"Come on, kid, don't be an idiot!" Verne kicked away the pistol and chuckled loudly. "The base is a major sausage-fest. And all the chicks are holed up in their own quarters. A guys gotta get his rocks off. Keep it pent up too long, and you'll end up goin' crazy."
Verne knelt down and pulled off the woman's shoes while the other two struggled to remove her jacket while still holding her down. Like an enraged Tisiphone setting her sights on her prey, the woman practically growled, "I swear, place one hand on me and I'll bite off my own t..."
Before she can finish, Daniels buried his fist into her stomach. As she struggled to catch her breath, Verne quickly yanked off one of her socks and tossed it to McCloud. Balling it up and shoving it into the woman's mouth, McCloud asked, "You were saying something about touching you?" When the woman is incapable of answering, he shruged and roughly fondled her chest.
"Stop!" Jackie yelled, not bothering to hide the cracking in his voice. The four men all turned to look at him. Trying to find the right words, he said, "You...you can't do this. It's...i-it's wrong...I..."
His three fellow soldiers laughed loudly. "Grow up, kid," Verne said between chuckles. "I'm sure the Commander told you that these people are animals. Why should we treat them with any dignity?"
Jackie struggled to explain why something he had always known to be wrong without question was wrong. "If...if you...if they're really that bad...then doing this would only make you just like them, wouldn't it?"
The men's laughs grew even louder, but were stifled when Major Wesker stepped forward with his hand raised. "He's right." The men moaned childishly, but Wesker shouted, "Quiet! We need to set a good example, after all. Here." He tossed his side arm to Jackie and took a step back. "Finish her."
"Major?" Jackie looked down at the weapon like he was holding a dangerous animal.
Pointing at the woman's face, still the picture of rage, Wesker said, "Boy, it doesn't take a master interrogator to tell that no amount of questioning, force, or drugs are going to get any information out of this one. Get rid of her."
Jackie reluctantly raised his weapon and walked over to the woman. As the other three men stepped away, the woman sneered at Jackie. "Just get it over with."
Raising an eyebrow at Jackie's shaking hands, Verne asks, "Seriously, what's the hold up? She's going to die anyway, and you'll have to fight them eventually. Your first kill is an easy one. My first scrap left half my colleagues dead. All you gotta do is plug this girl and you've proven yourself."
Jackie pointed the weapon at the woman for a few more minutes, but finally lowered it. "I'm...sorry sir. I know she's the enemy, but I can't just shoot an unarmed, innocent woman."
Wesker let out a long sigh. "Very well, but I'm afraid the Commander will have to here about this." He took the pistol from Jackie's hands, stepped forward, and pressed the weapon against the woman's head. Turning his head towards Jackie, he added, "I just hope that if you aren't taken off the field, you'll live long enough to learn that this kind of hesitation will usually..."
Quick as a cobra, the woman grabbed the Major's hands and yanked them back, wrenching the weapon from him. By the time the other soldiers raised their rifles, she had already jumped to her feet and turned the Major into a human she shield. Taking advantage of her opponent's hesitation, she fired three quick shots, each hitting their target's dead center in the forehead. Shoving Wesker forward, she grabbed a knife from an ankle sheath, spun the Major around, and plunged it into his chest. She pulled the sock from her mouth, and with a twisted smile, she looked into the man's dying eyes and said, "Maybe you should have given your other men that little tidbit."
As the Major slumped to the floor, Jackie dropped to his knees. "I...I-I-I.." He struggled to find the right words, but could only babble.
Raising the weapon towards Jackie, the woman's twisted expression faded from her face. Stepping forward, she said in a quiet tone, "I've got a little advice of my own for you, little man. There are no innocents in war. The innocent and the guilty are chosen after the war by the victors. You might think we're insane for our beliefs, and I can assure you we think the same of you, but save that for the history books. The next time you have your weapon trained on an enemy, I suggest you pull the trigger, because if you can't, then maybe you should reassess your allegiances. You might be on the wrong side."
<Extraction team to Agent Hannigan. We're showing you half a klick to our northwest. Do you read us?>
The woman quickly redressed herself while keeping a watchful eye on Jackie. Speaking into her collar, she said, "Roger, Extraction team, I'm reading you."
<Damn, it's good to hear your voice, Barbara. When we were delayed by that massive electrical storm and found the place swarming with goons when we landed, we were afraid we might have lost you. What's your situation?>
"I'm a bit worse for wear, but I'm in one piece. I was ambushed by a quartet of assholes, but they've been neutralized. I've already got everything we need. I think I'm ready to go home."
<Roger that. This kitchen's getting a little too hot for my likings too. Just get over here as quickly but carefully as you can. We'll try to make some noise to keep them busy. then we're out of here like a bat outta Hell.>
"Got it. I'm on my way." Hannigan tossed the gun to the side and grabbed her own weapon. "Think about what I said," She said over her shoulder as she turned to leave.
Genuinely surprised, Jackie shouted after her, "Wait, that's it? You're just gonna let me go?"
Hannigan turned back towards Jackie. "Well, there's no point in giving you advice if you don't live long enough to appreciate it. And besides, it might go against my better judgement, but I can't gun down a man that saved my life, however inadvertent it might have been." Her expression growing ice cold, she added, "But we're even now. The next time I see you, if you're in that ridiculous attire, or I see you within a hundred feet of anyone or anything baring the EXALT logo, I'll gun you down like all the rest. Got it?" Jackie nervously nodded. With the smile returning to her face, Hannigan cracked her knuckles. "In the meantime, we don't need your EXALT buddies thinking about executing you as a traitor, now do we?"
Jackie gave her a nervous smile. "What do you mean?" He asked before a fist to the face put him out like a light.
(Thirty minutes later).
Jackie woke to find himself on a stretcher on the dropship. He could feel his face pulsing with what was surely a black eye. He reached up to touch it, but let out a shrill cry of the pain in his arm. Looking down at the small scorch mark on his arm, his eyes bulged slightly. "She shot me!" He cried out softly.
"Don't worry about it," said a voice belonging to someone Jackie was too out of it to make out. "It probably hurts a lot worse then it is. You got lucky, especially compared to the eight men we lost today. We're almost back to EXALT HQ. I'm giving you something to sleep the rest of the way."
As Jackie slowly drifted away, the words of the X-COM soldier drifted through his mind, and not for the first time, he wondered if he had taken a seriously wrong turn in his life.
"Come on, kid, don't be an idiot!" Verne kicked away the pistol and chuckled loudly. "The base is a major sausage-fest. And all the chicks are holed up in their own quarters. A guys gotta get his rocks off. Keep it pent up too long, and you'll end up goin' crazy."
Verne knelt down and pulled off the woman's shoes while the other two struggled to remove her jacket while still holding her down. Like an enraged Tisiphone setting her sights on her prey, the woman practically growled, "I swear, place one hand on me and I'll bite off my own t..."
Before she can finish, Daniels buried his fist into her stomach. As she struggled to catch her breath, Verne quickly yanked off one of her socks and tossed it to McCloud. Balling it up and shoving it into the woman's mouth, McCloud asked, "You were saying something about touching you?" When the woman is incapable of answering, he shruged and roughly fondled her chest.
"Stop!" Jackie yelled, not bothering to hide the cracking in his voice. The four men all turned to look at him. Trying to find the right words, he said, "You...you can't do this. It's...i-it's wrong...I..."
His three fellow soldiers laughed loudly. "Grow up, kid," Verne said between chuckles. "I'm sure the Commander told you that these people are animals. Why should we treat them with any dignity?"
Jackie struggled to explain why something he had always known to be wrong without question was wrong. "If...if you...if they're really that bad...then doing this would only make you just like them, wouldn't it?"
The men's laughs grew even louder, but were stifled when Major Wesker stepped forward with his hand raised. "He's right." The men moaned childishly, but Wesker shouted, "Quiet! We need to set a good example, after all. Here." He tossed his side arm to Jackie and took a step back. "Finish her."
"Major?" Jackie looked down at the weapon like he was holding a dangerous animal.
Pointing at the woman's face, still the picture of rage, Wesker said, "Boy, it doesn't take a master interrogator to tell that no amount of questioning, force, or drugs are going to get any information out of this one. Get rid of her."
Jackie reluctantly raised his weapon and walked over to the woman. As the other three men stepped away, the woman sneered at Jackie. "Just get it over with."
Raising an eyebrow at Jackie's shaking hands, Verne asks, "Seriously, what's the hold up? She's going to die anyway, and you'll have to fight them eventually. Your first kill is an easy one. My first scrap left half my colleagues dead. All you gotta do is plug this girl and you've proven yourself."
Jackie pointed the weapon at the woman for a few more minutes, but finally lowered it. "I'm...sorry sir. I know she's the enemy, but I can't just shoot an unarmed, innocent woman."
Wesker let out a long sigh. "Very well, but I'm afraid the Commander will have to here about this." He took the pistol from Jackie's hands, stepped forward, and pressed the weapon against the woman's head. Turning his head towards Jackie, he added, "I just hope that if you aren't taken off the field, you'll live long enough to learn that this kind of hesitation will usually..."
Quick as a cobra, the woman grabbed the Major's hands and yanked them back, wrenching the weapon from him. By the time the other soldiers raised their rifles, she had already jumped to her feet and turned the Major into a human she shield. Taking advantage of her opponent's hesitation, she fired three quick shots, each hitting their target's dead center in the forehead. Shoving Wesker forward, she grabbed a knife from an ankle sheath, spun the Major around, and plunged it into his chest. She pulled the sock from her mouth, and with a twisted smile, she looked into the man's dying eyes and said, "Maybe you should have given your other men that little tidbit."
As the Major slumped to the floor, Jackie dropped to his knees. "I...I-I-I.." He struggled to find the right words, but could only babble.
Raising the weapon towards Jackie, the woman's twisted expression faded from her face. Stepping forward, she said in a quiet tone, "I've got a little advice of my own for you, little man. There are no innocents in war. The innocent and the guilty are chosen after the war by the victors. You might think we're insane for our beliefs, and I can assure you we think the same of you, but save that for the history books. The next time you have your weapon trained on an enemy, I suggest you pull the trigger, because if you can't, then maybe you should reassess your allegiances. You might be on the wrong side."
<Extraction team to Agent Hannigan. We're showing you half a klick to our northwest. Do you read us?>
The woman quickly redressed herself while keeping a watchful eye on Jackie. Speaking into her collar, she said, "Roger, Extraction team, I'm reading you."
<Damn, it's good to hear your voice, Barbara. When we were delayed by that massive electrical storm and found the place swarming with goons when we landed, we were afraid we might have lost you. What's your situation?>
"I'm a bit worse for wear, but I'm in one piece. I was ambushed by a quartet of assholes, but they've been neutralized. I've already got everything we need. I think I'm ready to go home."
<Roger that. This kitchen's getting a little too hot for my likings too. Just get over here as quickly but carefully as you can. We'll try to make some noise to keep them busy. then we're out of here like a bat outta Hell.>
"Got it. I'm on my way." Hannigan tossed the gun to the side and grabbed her own weapon. "Think about what I said," She said over her shoulder as she turned to leave.
Genuinely surprised, Jackie shouted after her, "Wait, that's it? You're just gonna let me go?"
Hannigan turned back towards Jackie. "Well, there's no point in giving you advice if you don't live long enough to appreciate it. And besides, it might go against my better judgement, but I can't gun down a man that saved my life, however inadvertent it might have been." Her expression growing ice cold, she added, "But we're even now. The next time I see you, if you're in that ridiculous attire, or I see you within a hundred feet of anyone or anything baring the EXALT logo, I'll gun you down like all the rest. Got it?" Jackie nervously nodded. With the smile returning to her face, Hannigan cracked her knuckles. "In the meantime, we don't need your EXALT buddies thinking about executing you as a traitor, now do we?"
Jackie gave her a nervous smile. "What do you mean?" He asked before a fist to the face put him out like a light.
(Thirty minutes later).
Jackie woke to find himself on a stretcher on the dropship. He could feel his face pulsing with what was surely a black eye. He reached up to touch it, but let out a shrill cry of the pain in his arm. Looking down at the small scorch mark on his arm, his eyes bulged slightly. "She shot me!" He cried out softly.
"Don't worry about it," said a voice belonging to someone Jackie was too out of it to make out. "It probably hurts a lot worse then it is. You got lucky, especially compared to the eight men we lost today. We're almost back to EXALT HQ. I'm giving you something to sleep the rest of the way."
As Jackie slowly drifted away, the words of the X-COM soldier drifted through his mind, and not for the first time, he wondered if he had taken a seriously wrong turn in his life.
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